Air Travel
Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport (9667 9111; www.sydneyairport.com.au) is Australia’s busiest, so don’t be surprised if there are delays. It’s only 10km south of the city centre, making access easy, but this also means that flights cease between 11pm and 5am due to noise regulations. The T1 (international) and T2 and T3 (domestic) terminals are a 4km, $5 bus or train ride apart.

You can fly into Sydney from all the usual international points and from within Australia. Both Qantas (13 13 13; www.qantas.com.au) and Virgin (13 67 89; www.virginblue.com.au) have frequent flights to other capital cities. Smaller Qantas-affiliated airlines fly to smaller Oz destinations.

Bus
All private interstate and regional bus travellers arrive at Sydney Coach Terminal (9281 9366; Central Station, Eddy Ave; 6am-10.30pm). The government’s CountryLink rail network is also complemented by coaches. Most buses stop in the suburbs on the way in and out of Sydney. If you hold a VIP or YHA discount card, shop around the major bus companies with offices here:Firefly (1300 730 740; www.fireflyexpress.com.au)Greyhound (13 14 99; www.greyhound.com.au)Murrays (13 22 51; www.murrays.com.au)

Currency
The Australian dollar (AUD). Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. Coins: 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2. The Australia dollar is floated on the world currency market and is presently fluctuating at around 70 to 73 cents to the US$. For the current exchange rate, and conversion to other world currencies, use this currency conversion guide.